How to get from Corfu to Ksamil by Ferry, Taxi, Bus (& Ksamil to Corfu!)

Are you looking for the best way to get from Corfu, Greece to Ksamil, Albania? Then look no further!

Ksamil, Albania is just a stone’s throw away from the popular Greek island of Corfu. Located only 2 kilometers (1.3 miles) apart at its closest point, Ksamil is an easy and convenient destination if you’re looking to explore both Greece and Albania in one trip.

Unfortunately, there are no direct ferry services from Corfu to Ksamil. Instead, you must take the ferry to Saranda in Albania, which is just a 20-minute drive north of Ksamil. Don’t worry, we’re sharing all of the details about how to get to Ksamil from Saranda in this post.

We recently spent one week in Ksamil and took the ferry to and from Corfu for a weekend trip. The ferry ride only takes 30 minutes between the two countries and is quick and convenient.

We highly recommend making a trip to the Albanian Riveria, even just for a day or two, if you are spending time in Corfu! From crystal-clear beaches to ancient historical sights, there are so many amazing things to do in Ksamil!

In this post, we cover all of the information you need to know about getting from Corfu to Ksamil in order to make your journey as smooth and stress-free as possible! Let’s get started.

Know Before You Go

If you’re planning a trip from Corfu to Ksamil, it’s important to keep in mind that Albania is not part of the European Union. This means that you must have your passport and any necessary visa documents prepared beforehand.

You will have to go through border control in both Albania and Greece. We suggest arriving at the port 1-hour before your ferry departure to give yourself enough time to go through customs. During the summer months, the lines get long and it can take a while to get through passport control.

A little tip – sit next to the main door on the ferry, so you can be one of the first ones out. We did this and were at the front of the line to get through border control, which helped to reduce our wait time.

How to get from Corfu to Ksamil

In this how-to guide, we’re sharing all of the details for getting from Corfu to Ksamil. Even though there is not a direct ferry to Ksamil from Corfu, we’ve included all of the steps you’ll need to get there in the easiest and best way possible.

Note: The time in Corfu is an hour ahead of Ksamil, so you will lose an hour going to Greece and gain an hour going to Albania.

Taking the ferry from Corfu to Albania (and Albania to Corfu)

Getting the ferry from Corfu to Albania is simple. The distance between the ferry ports in Corfu Town, Greece and Saranda, Albania is only 35 kilometers. The journey takes about 30 minutes on a fast ferry and 65 minutes on a slow ferry with departures leaving a few times per day.

The cost varies depending on the ferry company you choose, but you can expect to pay between €25-€27 for a one-way ticket during the high season (June to September). During the low season, tickets are €19-€23 each way.

What is the best ferry company? 

There are two ferry companies that operate between Corfu and Albania: Finikas Lines and Ionian Seaways. We recommend either of these companies for your trip.

We opted to take Ionian Seaways because they had the cheapest tickets. Finikas Lines costs a little more, but it often has more departures per day during the high season.

Both companies have a high-speed ferry called the Flying Dolphin, which takes 30 minutes. We suggest checking out both ferries to determine which departure times and prices work best for you.

You can easily book your tickets online with either Ionian Seaways or Finikas Lines. You are not required to print out your ticket. Instead, you can just save it to your phone and show your digital ticket upon boarding.

Ferry timetables

High season: During the summer months (July to September), the ferries depart more frequently. You can expect 3-4 high-speed ferry departures per day and 3 slow ferry departures per day from both Corfu and Albania. The first ferry leaves around 8:30 am-9:00 am and the last one around 10:30 pm.

Mid season : During the mid-season (April to May & September to October), ferries depart less frequently. You can expect around 2-3 high-speed ferry departures daily and 1-2 slow ferry departures. Check the timetables below, as times change each month.

Low season: During the low season (November to March), there is only one departure daily from Corfu and Saranda. The Finikas Lines slow ferry departs at 9:00 am from Corfu and 10:30 am from Saranda. The Ionian Seaways high-speed ferry departs at 8:50 am from Corfu and 10:15 am from Saranda.

Check the ferry timetables below:

• Finikas Lines timetable
• Ionian Seaways timetable

Where is the ferry port in Corfu?

The ferry port in Corfu is located in Corfu Town, about a 5-10 minute drive from the center of town. You can reach the port by taxi, bus, or by walking.

Taxi: We opted to catch a taxi to and from the port, as it was the easiest option with our luggage. The cost to take a taxi is €10 and the driver will drop you off right outside the old town (if arriving in Corfu) or right at the entrance to the port (if departing Corfu).

Bus: The cheapest option is to take the bus from the city center to the port and vice versa. From San Rocco, which is the main square in Corfu Town, you can catch the “blue bus” or “Line 15” to the port. Alternatively, you can catch the same bus at the port and ride it into town. The bus tickets cost €1.20 each way and can be purchased with cash on the bus. You can also purchase tickets at many shops in town.

Walking: The walk from the center of Corfu Town to the port is about 30 minutes. If you’re feeling up for it, then this is definitely doable. Just make sure to give yourself enough time to make your ferry on time.

Where is the nearest ferry port to Ksamil, Albania?

The ferry from Corfu arrives in Saranda, Albania, which is the nearest ferry port to Ksamil. Ksamil is located about 14km south of the port of Saranda and can be reached by taxi, bus, or car.

Taxi from Saranda to Ksamil 

Taking a taxi from the port of Saranda is the quickest way to reach Ksamil. The taxi costs around 2,000 lek ($20) each way and takes about 20-30 minutes depending on traffic.

When we arrived in Saranda from Corfu, we ended up sharing a taxi with two other travelers who were going to Ksamil. We split the cost of the taxi between four of us, so it ended up costing $5 (500 lek) per person. If you find other travelers waiting on a taxi, ask if they’d be willing to split the ride with you to save some money.

Bus from Saranda to Ksamil 

The bus from Saranda to Ksamil departs just outside of the ferry terminal on Rruga Jonianet (click on the link to access a Google Maps pin). To get here, walk outside of the terminal and turn right and at the end of the street you’ll see the bus stop.

The bus departs every hour, on the hour, starting at 7:30 am. The last bus departs at 9:30 pm.

The bus tickets cost 250 lek ($2.50) each way and can be purchased on the bus in cash. The bus ride from Saranda to Ksamil takes around 30 minutes.

Renting a Car in Corfu or Albania

We rented a car in both Corfu and Albania. If you plan to spend some time in both places, then renting a car is an easy and convenient way to get around without having to rely on public transportation.

We especially loved having a car in Corfu, so we could go and visit some of the incredible beaches up on the northern side of the island.

You don’t necessarily need a car in Ksamil, but if you plan to explore more of the Albanian Riviera, then it’s definitely worth renting one. We got our rental car through Discover Cars, our go-to rental agency for Europe.

How long does it take to get from Corfu to Ksamil?

While the ride is only 30 minutes on the high-speed ferry, plan on at least 2.5-3 hours total for your trip from Corfu to Ksamil (and Ksamil to Corfu).

This includes the time it takes to get to the port, the waiting time to get through border control in Greece, the ferry ride, border control in Albania, and then either a taxi or bus ride to Ksamil.

Corfu to Ksamil Frequently Asked Questions

More Information for your Albania Trip

Southern Albania

GJIROKASTER: This historic city is well worth a visit. Read our post on the best things to do in Gjirokaster to help plan your day in this town.

BLUE EYE: The incredible Blue Eye near Saranda is a must-see in Southern Albania.

Northern Albania

BERAT: Check out our guide on the best things to do in Berat, one of our favorite cities in Albania.

KRUJA: This is one of the best places to shop for local Albanian goods at the old bazaar in Kruja. Read more about the best things to do in Kruja in our guide.

DURRES: Our post on the top things to do in Durres includes visiting ancient Roman monuments and beautiful beaches.

THETH: Heading to the mountains? Check out our posts on driving the Road to Theth, the Best Things to do in Theth, and visiting the Blue Eye in Theth.